Town of Menasha chairman candidates

Here are the survey responses from the candidates in the April 7 election for Town of Menasha chairman.

Dale A. Youngquist (incumbent)

Address: 1478 Windmar Drive, Neenah

Age: 69

Political experience: Town of Menasha Board of Supervisors since 2006; Neenah-Menasha Sewerage Commission since 2007; and Grand Chute Menasha West Sewerage Commission since 2011

Why are you running? I will continue representing all residents of the Town of Menasha equally and will continue working to make the town the best place to work, live and raise a family.

I will provide strong, fiscal leadership evidenced by the reduction of debt by more than $4 million without reducing services and while accomplishing vital capital projects. Several bond issues have also been refinanced, saving taxpayers more than $1 million of interest without extending payment dates.

I will continue maintaining low tax rates without reducing services. All budgets have remained at or below the levy limit during my terms as town chairman.

What are the key issues? The future of the Town of Menasha hinges on properly moving forward the incorporation process that has been started. Incorporation as a village will allow our borders to be protected from annexations, allow our tax base to be protected and allow flexibility over zoning and development that is presently not available.

Also very important is the ability to properly manage growth opportunities that will result with the construction of an additional bridge over Little Lake Butte des Morts and the construction of a full interchange at US-10/41/441. I have already explored the use of developer finance Tax Incremental Districts to help with this expansion.

Guy Hegg

Address: 1355 Dunning St., Menasha

Campaign website: facebook.com/pages/Guy-Hegg/1069855043041113

Political experience: Winnebago County Supervisor District 27 April, 2010

Why are you running? My experiences with town government this past year have made it abundantly clear that current leadership is more supportive of town administration than residents. The final straw that motivated me was our current chairman's deciding vote in not allowing a referendum on incorporation. I was told the issue was too emotional and that east-side residents couldn't be informed well enough to properly vote. State statute doesn't require a vote, but I believe it's the right thing to do. I believe incorporation meetings should be part of regular board meetings instead of segregating them to not allow for recording and broader dissemination of important information.

Key issues: Key issues in this race are the process of incorporation, providing greater transparency and inclusiveness in town government, and ending the practice of special assessments. I would advocate for allowing residents seven days to review and analyze all town meeting agendas instead of the current 24 hours, and I would consolidate meetings. The practice of special assessment has recently been thwarted in a larger neighboring municipality, and I believe it only serves to divide and overtax our residents. If a project needs to be done it should be properly vetted by the entire town and not proposed as neighborhood burdens that residents cannot afford.